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Wednesday, October 2, 2013

ASCP French Linen Side Table

The other day I was at an auction and one of the pieces I was interested in was this little reproduction gramophone cabinet below. Then I bumped into a blog reader who had also bought a couple of pieces of furniture from me and I was distracted chatting to her and missed the bidding! Luckily I found out it had been passed in so later I approached the auctioneer and he let me buy it for a great price. I think no one else knew what to do with it. I loved its shape and knew that paint could transform it.

I have yet to test out to see if it's in working condition, but I didn't buy it to use it. When I went to pick it up the other day I realised that it was two separate pieces. I will work out what to do with the top part some other day - gut it probably, I'm sure a plan will come to me.

The other day the kids and I had a day at home which has been rare this school holidays. We laid out a drop sheet in the carport and got busy with some craft projects.

While the kids made a birdhouse and wooden jet, I got busy with ASCP French Linen on the base table. It is such a gorgeous shape. I also gave the table a wash with Pure White to bring out the grain.

I love French Linen with a wash over white. The resulting colour is a soft subtle grey. I had previously used a white wash over Paris Grey and a Paris Grey wash over French Linen but hadn't tried white over French Linen. I recently saw Karen from Restyled Vintage use these colours of a hall stand and really liked the result so thought I'd use it on a few recently projects. It really brings out the oak grain on this table.

the book is a lovely illustrated book of sonnets that was mum's. I love the paintings.

Once the whitewash wash was very dry I waxed it using MMS Wax. I have found that when using washes that if your paint hasn't had long enough to harden the wax will remove the wash, so if you are doing this technique don't be impatient. I also gave the table a very slight distress to bright out some of the details.

This woven chair is still one of my all time favourite pieces. So much work to get this look though. I won't ever sell despite getting asked a lot to part with it.

If the table doesn't sell by the time I get around to sorting out the top part I might join them together to make a little cabinet. Do you like the washed look? Any other ideas on what to do with the top part of the gramophone?

French linen is my favorite ASCP color. I like to use French linen as the base, then dry brush with Duck Egg and Old White followed by clear wax and dark wax in the crevices and finally German's Silver on the high points. A lot of work, but so worth it for a special piece. The side table looks great. Can't wait to see what you do with the top.

So loving the "washed" look you've done! With regards the top bit, it will be interesting to see what it looks like "gutted" - a coffee table with shelf in the middle? Would a small modern stereo fit inside the middle bit?